Floor rack for refrigerator cars



July 28, 1942. c. s. JOHNSTON FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed April 23, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 28, 1942. c. s. JOHNSTON FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed April 23, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 o wqcogo QQI OQ 3 .j aizaszazo July 28, 1942. c. s. JOHNSTON FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS 5 Shets-Sheet 5 Filed April 23, 1941 y 942. c. s. JOHNSTON 2,291,472

FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed April 23, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 'xz z'esg fa'za iaza M M WM 5% July 28, 1942. C 5, JQHNSTQN 2,291,472

FLOOR RACK FOR REFRIGERATOR CARS Filed April 23, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 E atenieki July 28, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles S. Johnston, Glencoe, 111., assignor to Transportation Specialties Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 23, 1941, Serial No. 389,848

17 Claims. (Cl. 105-375) The present invention relates to floor racks for refrigerator cars, and is particularly concerned with the provision of improved and simplified metallic floor racks which are adapted to support the lading in such manner that it is accessible for ventilation or circulation of cooling air from the ice bunkers of the refrigerator car.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved floor rack which is adapted to provide a maximum strength with a minimum amount of weight and which is adapted to be used for a long period of time without necessity for repair or replacement. The floor racks usually cover substantially the whole floor of the refrigerator car, and they support the load in the car and receive the brunt of the wear, which occurs when the merchandise is moved about by trucks or by sliding, rolling, or other forms of handling.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved floor rack structure including a simplified mode of supporting the floor racks in elevated position against the walls of the car and an improved structure for mounting the necessary fittings by means of which conduetion of heat through the fastening devices is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved metal floor rack provided with a novel covering of such a structure that it is adapted to permit the sliding of boxes, barrels, sacks, etc. over the floor rack without tearing or breaking or catching of nails in the ventilation apertures of the floor rack covering.

Another object of the invention is th provision of an improved metal floor rack having means for locking the cross frame members to the stringers during the manufacture of the device, so that the cross frame members and stringers can be held in predetermined position for welding, without the necessity of jigs or other securing devices between these members.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved metal floor rack having its sections arranged to be folded up against the side wall and having the door sections arranged to fold against the adjacent rack sections and provided with an improved type of latching device for holding the door sections in elevated and folded position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved metal floor rack structure which permits the cross circulation of air under tion of air longitudinally of the car between the stringers oi the floor racks.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved stringer structure for metal floor racks, by means of which a maximum amount of strength is provided for supporting the load in the car in spaced relation to the flooring and a maximum cross ventilation may be secured.

Other objects an advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are five sheets,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary diagrammatic top plan View, showing the arrangement of the floor racks in one-fourth of the area of a refrigerator car floor;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the plane of the lin 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the stringers in elevation, and the cross channels in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken through a fio'or rack, on the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4. is a view similar to Fig. 3, taken on the plane of the line l i of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one of the stringers;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of one of the stringers;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the hinge fittings for hingedly securing the floor racks to the wall, with the wall shown in section;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view. taken on a plane extending at right angles to the cross channel members, showing the details of structure of the hinges between the main floor racks and the door sections of the floor racks;

,Fig. 11 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line I2l2 of Fig. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows,

the top of the floor rack, as well as the circulashowing the latching means between the main 28 against the section 2|.

rack section and the door section of the floor racks;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view,

taken on the plane of the line |8--l3 of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the lin |4-|4 of Fig. 15, looking in the direction of the arrows,

I the latching device, as seen from the interior of the car; 1

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line n-n of Fig. 15, showing the fasten mode of securement of certain bolts which the latching device to the framework Fig. 18 is a fragmentary elevational view,

showing the structure of the cross channel membe'rs for supporting the foraminated floor cover- Referring to Fig. 1, the floor racks embodying my invention are preferably made in a' plurality of sections, such as, for example, the door section 20 and the two main sections 2| and 22.

The two sections 2| and 22 usually extend from the bulkhead 23, immediately adjacent the ice bunker 24, to a point adjacent the doorway opening 25. The door section 20 extends from a point adjacent the side of the door opening to a point midway between the sidewalls of the door frame so that the floor racks illustrated in Fig. 1 cover substantially one-fourth of that part of the refrigerator car inwhich the'freight-is placed.

The width of these floor racks is preferably such that they extend to substantially the middle of the car floor, a-similar assembly of floor racks being used on the other side of the car.

Thus, each floor rack 22 may be provided with a pair of hinges 26, 21 and the rack 2| with a pair of hinges 28, 29, pivotallysecuring the adiacent edge of theracks to the car 'wall so that they may be swung upward and secured in vertical position against the wall, when it is not desired to have floor racks on the floor.

The'door section 20 is secured to the adjacent edge of the floor rack section 2| by means of the hinges 30, 3| so that it will be adapted to swing around against the floor rack section 2| after the rack sections2l, 28 have both been swung to a vertical position. I

This moves the door section 28 out of the doorway into position'agalnstthe rack 2|, which is located vertically against the side wall 33.

In some embodiments of the invention the rack section 22 may be made shorter, its end 34 being spaced from the bulkhead 23 by an amount sufliclent to permit the insertion of a centrifugal fan housing, which has its discharge extending tangentially of the housing into the space under the floor racks, and which is providedwith a centrifugal impeller and inlet conduits leading to the space in the ice bunker 24 at its lower part.

The various floor rack sections are substantially similar in their structure, except for various adaptations that are made for the purpose of permitting the folding of the, doorsection Thus, except for the length of the sections 2|, 22, they may be identical.

Each of the floor rack sections is preferably constructed of a plurality of longitudinally extending metal stringers 35-48, which perform the function of supporting the top of the floor rack in spaced relation to the floor 41 of the car, and thus permit the circulation of air longitudinally of the car under the floor rack, between the stringers.

Thus, rack section 22 includesv stringers to 88, rack section 2| includes stringers 39-42, and rack section 20 includes stringers 43-45.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 6, the structure of these stringers is there shown in cross section. Each stringer (Fig. 5) is preferably formed wlth its The triangular apertures 5| have such dimensions that they leave a narrow portion 53 of the body 50 at the top and a similar narrow portion of the body at 54, at the bottom of the stringer. The triangular apertures are alternately disposed with the base of the triangle upward and the base of the triangle downward, so that there is left of the body or web 58 a plurality of diagonally extending frame portions 55, 55. For example, the frame portions 55, 55 take the form of integral parts of a truss, as they join the upper and lower portions 53, 54 ofthe web of the stringer, and they extend diagonally and transversely to each other. Thus the main body 50 of the stringer is so apertured that a minimum amount of metal remains, consistent with the strength required, anda maximum circulation of air transversely of the stringers is permitted.

The structure is adapted to be stiff and strong for its weight, and adapted t support the loadin the car on the racks without possibility of the bending of the floor racks or any part thereof.

At their. ends the stringers are preferably pro- ,vided with the lower beveled edge 51, thus eliminating the sharp corner that would otherwise stick out when the rack is folded against the car wall. 5

Each stringer ispreferably formed with a relatively wide bearing flange or foot flange 58, at the bottom of the web 50, and extending at substantially, right angles to the web 50.

The' bearing flange 58 is preferably turned slightly upward at 59, adjacent its edge, so that there is less possibility of damage to freight in the car by engagement with these foot flanges when the, rack are folded up against the car wall. This also prevents damage to the waterproof floor covering which is inthe nature of impregnated felt or roofing, and which the racks are intended to protect; For this reason both edges of the floor bearing flanges are rounded and the end corners are turned up as at 58c. Thus if the rack' shift on the floor it does so without cutting the waterproof layer The foot flange 58 engages the flooring ll of the car, and by its extended area and frictional engagement tendsto prevent theshifting-of the.

tically extending web 04 (Fig. 5), which is'provided with a plurality of regularly spaced slots 66 for receiving the cross channels "-83. The slots 68 are provided with a horizontal integral tongue 81, the slots being otherwise substantially rectangular in cros section in the vertical web 4, and the slots I8 extend horizontally into the channel bearing flange III, as shown in Fig. 6.

The inwardly extending tongues 61 have their lower horizontal edge 68 located at such a'point that when the channels are in the slots 6' and the stringers extend vertically at right angles to the longest dimension of the channels, the lower flange of each channel is clamped between the channel bearing flange l0 and the edge 68 of tongues 61.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that in Fig. 3 the floor bearing flanges 58 all extend inwardly from the outer edge oi the rack toward the center. This is a section taken through the main rack, such as the rack 2| or 22.

In Fig. 4 the structure of the stringers is similar, except that the floor bearing flanges 58 are all turned outwardly from the middle of the rack toward the edges of the rack. This is not merely a matter of turning the stringers around, but two types of stringers are employed, as it will be observed that the stringers in Fig. 4 have their floor flanges extending oppositely to the channel bearing flanges 60, while in Fig. 3 the floor bearing flanges extend in the same direction from the web 50, as the channel bearing flanges to.

The result of this arrangement and the suitable location of the webs of the stringers is that when the section 2! is folded up against the wall and the section 20 is swung around on its hinges 30 and BI against the section 2!, the webs of the stringers of the section of Fig. 3 have their flat sides located to slide over the fiat sides of the webs of the stringers of Fig. 4. Interference between the foot flanges is thus avoided by having the foot flanges of adjacent stringers on different sections 20, 2i extend in the opposite direction so that these two sections may be nested closely together.

The nesting of the stringers is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, where the means for latching the sections 20, 2| together is also shown. The mode of assembly of the channeled cross members and the stringers is as follows:

The stringers required for a floor rack are laid upon a support, such as the floor or a table, and supported in a tilted position, that is, they tilt toward the left in Fig. 4 in such manner that part of the slot 66 below the tongue 61 in the vertical web 64 and the bearing flange 60 serve to provide ample clearance for the insertion of the lower flange of the cross channels.

The vertical depth of the tongue 61 is less than the space between the cross channel flanges, and the tongue 61 is shorter than the width of the channel flanges. Thus, it i possible to rotate all of the cross channels into the slots 66 of the stringers simultaneously until all of the cross channels are in proper position in the slots 65. Then the stringers of the section are moved to a position at right angles to the channels. as

shown in Fig. 4, and the lower edge 68 of each tongue binds against the channel and holds it in predetermined position.

Referring to Fig. 18. this is an elevational view of one of the channels. Each channel hasa vertically extending web II and a pair of horizontal flanges II, 12 extending at right angles to the web II. The horizontal flanges II, II taper toward their outer edges and thus have a thicker section at the base, as indicated by the line It inside the channel.

In some embodiments of the invention these channels may have the web ll provided with a multiplicity of punched apertures 14 which reduce the weight of the cross channels and permit further circulation of air through these channels longitudinally of the car. In other embodiments the apertures ll may be omitted, as ample ventilation may be provided by the space between the stringers, below the cross channels.

Each of the cross channels is then welded to the-stringers, the line of weld being indicated by the x marks at IS in Fig. 10, and each channelbeing thus welded at each intersection, with a stringer, a very strong framework is provided.

. The upper surface of the top flange "ll of each channel is flush with the upper edge of the vertical web 64 of each stringer, thus providing a plane top surface for the frame, which is adapted to support the foraminated upper covering I6.

This foraminated upper covering 16 preferably comprises a metal sheet, which has been provided with suitable apertures, and the preferred form of the invention comprises a form of expanded metal made by producing slits in the metal and spreading the adjacent parts of the metal, the slits being staggered, as shown in Fig. 7.

Here the metal rack' covering iii is shown in detail, and it is provided with a plurality of diamond shaped apertures ill bordered by the diagonally extending sheet metal frame members 18. This expanded metal is not to be confused with the ordinary expanded metal lath, as it is preferably of a much greater thickness and of a particular structure, as follows.

mob of the integral frame member portions of the expanded metal covering l6 comprises a fiat upper surface is (Fig. 7) and a downwardly beveled edge portion 88, ti on each side of the fla upper portion re.

The beveled parts 80, M all extend downward from the flat upper surface portions is, and the flat upper surface portions i9 are all in the same plane and provide the upper load bearing surface of the racks. The beveled parts 80, 8! on the upper surface of the rack covering serve to cause boxes or other containers to slide over the rack covering more easily, as any outwardly projecting parts of a box would engage the bevel at or ii and be cammed upward to the flat surface 19.

No sharp upper edges are presented to engage and tear the containers, such as sacks or bales, and the metal covering 16 is adapted to permit the rolling of trucks with a minimum amount of bumping.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that 62 indicates the cross channels located between the ends of the stringers, while 6i and 63 are used to indicate the cross channels at each end of the stringers. All of the cross channels 62 may extend in the same direction, but the cross channels SI, 63 preferably have their upper and lower flanges turned outwardly.

The expanded metal covering is so cut that its lower flange of each' edge is located transversely of one of the intersections 83 of the diagonally extending frame portions 18, thus reducing to a minimum the number of loose ends of expanded metal at the edge. These portions 83 extend over the top flanges H of the end cross channels 6|, '33, sufliciently so that the expanded metal may be bent backward on itself, as shown in Fig. 2, into the cross channels BI or 83, thus'providing a rounded edge for the top covering at 84 and 85.

At each of the other edges of the floor rack, that is, the ends of the cross channels Iii-93,

the cross channels may be provided with 2 bars 86, 81 (Fig. 3). Each 2 .bar has a vertically ex tending web, which is substantially equal to the largest vertical dimension of the cross channels so that the web 88 of each 2 bar may traverse the cross channel, and the top flange 89 of the Z bar may have its upper surface flush with the top of the cross channels 6I63 when the lower flange 98 of each 2 bar engages underneath the cross channels GI, 63, as shown in Fig.

The 2 bars may then be welded to each of the cross channels along the web 88 and along the lower flange 98 also, if desired.

The upper flange 81 of eachz bar provides the top of the framework with an outwardly extending flange, about which the expanded metal covering 16 may again be bent back on itself to provide a rounded edge at 9I. In this case the expanded metal is bent into U shape, engaging the lower side of. the upper flange 89 of the Z bars 86, 81.

Referring to Fig. 4; the right edge of this floor rack shows a different mode of finishing the edge of the doorway floor rack. In this case a channelled member is used, indicated with the numeral 92. Its upper flange 93 being located above the cross channels 6 I, 83, and its lower flange being located below the. cross channels GI, 83. In this case the expanded metal is brought up into abutting relation with the edge of the upper flange 93, and the edge channel 92 may'again have its web and two flanges welded to each of the cross channels 6|, 83.

This structure for. the edge of the floor rack,

at the end of the cross channels, is preferably employed at that end of the door section which extends across the door opening.'

' Referring to Fig. 2., this is aview of, the door section and the adjacent main rack section, which shows the mode of hinging the door section on the main section. It has already been stated that the flanges on thestringers' are turned oppositely, as shown in Figs; 3 and 4.

In addition to this, the outermost stringers on the door section are spaced more widely than the outermost stringers on the main section from each other, as shown in Fig. 1, so that there is space between the flat faces of the stringers for the two hinge plates 95, 96, Figs. 2 and 10.

These hinge plates are substantially trapezoidal in section, and are provided with apertures f for receiving the hinge bolt 91, which is secured in place by means of a nut 98. A' washer I8I is interposed between the plates 95 and 96 to insure adequate spacing of all of the parts.

The plates are identical in shape, but are oppositely disposed, and eachis provided with a diagonally extending upper edge 99, which may be parallel to the channel bearing flange 88 of the stringer, but is located on the other face of the stringer. It may be welded to the vertical flange 58 at the points indicated by the X marks.

'I'he'plate is also welded to the diagonal porand Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 12 and. 13, these are fragmentary views of the latching means for'securing the doorsection to the mainsection, after the main-section has been pivoted upward and secured to the wall. It has been previously pointed out that the flanges onthe stringers are oppositely disposed and that the stringers are hinged to each other, as shown in Figs. 2, 10, and 11.

Referring to Figs. 46 and 42, in Fig. 1, which are the stringers located adjacent the center of the car, these two stringers are preferably provided with latching means, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, for holding the door section 28 against the main section 2I.-

This latching means may be in the form of a block I82, welded to the door section 28, and provided with a latching member I83. While the section 2| carries a block I84, with a latching member I85 welded to it, the blocks I82 and I84 are welded to the stringers 46 and 42 on the flat sides thereof, in opposing relation.

The blocks merely serve to support the latching members I83, I85 in such manner that the latching member I83 is automatically cammed into its proper latching position, when the two sections are moved toward each other in the position of Fig. 13.

Thus the latching member I83 comprises a metal strip provided with 'a beveled edge at I88, and having a flat body provided with an upwardly bentouter end I81. The upwardly bent outer end I81 provides a sloping camming'surface I88. The latching member I85 likewise has a flat body secured to the block I84, and it is provided with a beveled inner'surface I89 and with a. downwardly bent end portion I I8, thus providing a sloping camming surface III.

The operation of this latching device is as follows: The two sections are shown latched together in Fig. 13. In order to unlatch them, it is only necessary to lift up the section 28 until the latching plate I83 and its beveled end surface I88 clear the beveled surface I89 and the top of the plate I85, when the section 28 may be caused to swing, upon the vertical axis provided by the bolts 91 of the two hinges 3I' and 38 (Fig. 1).

In order to eflect a latching of these two members, the section 28 may pivot'over on the same axis, after the section 2| has been secured in vertical position against the wall, and the camming surface I88 will meet the camming surface III, causing plate I83 to ride up over the plate I85.until it reaches the position where .the beveled surfaces I89, I86 come into engagement with each other, when the plate I83 drops into the position behind the plate I85, as shown.

erator car, which serves to support the sheathing II6. This frame member 5- is preferably rabbetted'at II1 to receive the metal supporting plate II8, which is secured in its recess in the frame member II5 by the countersunk bolt H9.

The waterproofing I20 of the floor of the refrigerator car preferably extends up under the sheathing, which is rabbetted or recessed at 1' to receive it, and a hinge securing pair of bolts I22 pass through the plate I I8, the waterproofing I20, the sheathing H6, and are used to secure the hinge fixture I23 to the wall.

The hinge fixture I2I preferably comprises a cast metal member which is provided with a flat body portion I24, having the vertically extending reinforcing ribs I25 -inits face and leading to the bearing portions I26.

The bearing portions I26 are provided with aligned through bores I21 for receiving the pintle shaft |28.- The pintle shaft I28'comprises astub shaft having apertures I29 at each end for receiving a cotter-pin I30. The hinge fixture I2I may also have the triangular end portions I3I at each end, and have the bolt apertures I32. The end portion I3I is also reinforced with a border rib I33 on its face. The part of the hinge carried by the floor rack member comprises the hinge plates I34, I35, which are identical in shape, but

are secured in spaced relation to each other to provide a more rigid form of hinge.

Each of these plates has a fiat outer edge at I36 for abutting against the web of the 2 bar 86, to which it is welded, as indicated by the X marks. The hinge plates have a depressed flat edge at I38, which are welded to the lower edge of the expanded metal covering, as indicated by the X marks. The upper edge of'each plate at I39 is higher, to provide sufiicient body for an oblong pintle slot I40 in each of the plates.

This pintle slot is slightly wider than the diameter of the pintle shaft I28, and it is so located that when the rack is in the horizontal position it does not rest upon the pintle shaft I28, but rests only on its stringers and their floor-bearing flanges 58.

The operation of the hinge is as follows: When the edge of the rack at the 2 bar 81 (Fig. 3) is lifted andthe lift is sufficient to raise the rack of! all its stringers, the hinge plates I35, I34 slide downward on the shaft I28 until the shaft meets the upper end of the oblong slot I40. The slot has its upper end located quite close to the upper edge I39, and this permits a pivotal movement of the hinge plate I35, with less clearance between the fixture I2I and the hinge plate; that is, the apertures I21 and the pintle can be located closer to the wall; this also locates therack closer to the wall when the rack is down.

The swinging movement is then continued until the rack is pivoted up into fiat engagement with the wall, where it is preferably secured in place by a latching device of a positive character, such as that illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16.

Referring to Fig. 14, I45 indicates a vertically members of the refrigerator car and adapted to support the sheet steel covering plates I48, I41. This frame member I45 preferably has its inner flange formed with the apertures I48 adapted to pass the head I49 of a special bolt I50, and the apertures I48 communicate with the square reeesses I5I for receiving the square shank I52 of the bolt I50.

The bolt I50 has an annular shoulder at I53 engaging on the inside of the flange of the Z bar I45 so-that bolts I50 are adapted to be quickly and conveniently secured to the 2 bar. Two of such bolts I50 are preferably carried by the 2 bar and extend through the sheet insulation I54 and the bats of insulation I55 into the lumber furring strips I56, which compress and secure the bats I 55 to the wall. When the furring The furring strips I56 support the inner sheath- I ing H6, and the sheathing is formed with a rectangular aperture for receiving the fitting I59. The fitting I59 may consist of a. stamped sheet metal member having'a cup I60, which is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan, except for its rounded corners, the cup being formed by an external wall I6I and a wall I62.

The wall I6I carries the outwardly projecting border flange I63, which is preferably rabbetted in the sheathing II6, as indicated at I64. The apertures I65 in the rear plate are adapted to pass the carriage bolts I58 so that the fitting I59 may be secured to the furring strip I56 by a pair of the bolts I58.

The rear plate I62 is. provided with a pair of spaced rectangular apertures I66 for receiving the-legs of a U-shaped stirrup I61, made of a bent strap of sheet metal, and the ends of the legs of the stirrup I61 are welded to the rear plate I 6 on the rear side at I68.

A closed or endless link I69, which is rectangu-- otally carried by the stirrup I61, and its le h extending 2 bar forming one of the vertical frame and the location of the stirrup I61 is such that when it swings down freely, as shownin Fig. 16,

it is entirely housed in the cup-shaped fitting I59.

Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, the sections 2I and 22 are provided on their edges, which are located in the middle of the car, with one or more hook members I12. This hook I12 may be made of a sheet metal strap of substantial thickness and of the same width as the stirrup I61, and it has two fiangesbent at substantially right angles to each other. Its vertically extending flange is welded at I13 to the lower flange-of the 2 bar 86, which finishes the middle edges of the rack. Thus the other flange is adapted to extend outward from the wall or downward from the rack, when the rack is on the floor.

The length of the horizontal flange I14 in relation to the clearance between the top of the rack and the wall and the length of the link I69 is such that the rack can be pushed back against the wall to cause the end I1I of the link to clear the flange I14 in the hooking or unhookingoperation.

When hooked as shown in Fig. 15, the arrangement is positive and safe, and there is no possibility of the rack becoming unhooked inadvertently.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved floor rack structure for refrigerator cars, which is adapted to assure a maximum circulation of air longitudinally of the car and transversely underneath the rack. The present floor racks are adapted to be used with ordinary ice bunkers or with an arrangement having one of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the' invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the-scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. Ina floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers, each stringercomprising a sheet metal member formed with. a laterally turned floor-bearing flange at its base and with a laterally turned frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots, metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminatedmetal covering' for said frame members and secured thereto.

2. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers,

each stringer comprising a sheet. metal member formed with a laterally turned floor-bearing frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being providedwlth a plurality of slots, metal framemembers in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to "said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, said metal frame members comprising metal channels of substantially U shape," and having their webs of wider dimension than the side flanges, said stringers being providedwith flange at its base and with a laterally turned frame-bearing. flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing-.

flange being provided with -a plurality of slots, metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringerasaid metal frame 7 members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, said metal frame members comprising metal channels of substantially U shape, and having their webs of .wider dimension than the side flanges.

3. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers,

each stringer comprising a sheet metal member formed with a laterally turned floor bearing flange at its ,base and with a laterally turned frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots, metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, said metal frame members comprisingmetal channels'of substantially U shape, and having their webs of wider dimension than the side flanges, said channelled frame members being a plurality of integral metal tonguesarranged to clamp the lower flanges of said frame members against said frame bearing flange when the frame members and stringers are arranged at right angles to each other. r

5'. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers, each stringer comprising a sheet metal member formed with a laterally turned floor bearing flange at its base and witha laterally turned 7 frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots,

metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame membersbeing welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, said covering comprising an integral sheet metal member formed with diamond-shaped openings, and having diagonally extending frame members, said diagonally extending frame members being beveled on both sides at the top thereof and being formed with a flat top surface.

6. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers, each stringer comprising a sheet metal member formed with 'a laterally turned floor bearing flange .at its base and with a laterally turned frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots,

metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers atpredetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto,

said covering comprising .an integral sheet metal member formed with diamond-shaped openings, and having diagonally extending frame members, said diagonally extending frame members being beveled on both sides at the top thereof and being formed with a flat top surface, the edges of said covering being bent backwardly under one of said frame members at the ends of said rack.

7. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers, each stringer comprising a sheet metal member formed with a laterally turned floor bearing flange at its base and with a laterally turned frame bearing flange adjacent .its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots, metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for saidframe members and secured thereto, said stringers being formed with a plurality flange being provided with a plurality of slots,

metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, said stringers being formed with a plurality of substantially triangular shaped openings extending over the major portions of the stringer extending alternately in opposite directions, said openings bein provided with a border flange around each opening, and extendingtransversely to the body flange of saidstringer.

9. In a floor rack for freight cars, the combination of a plurality of elongated stringers, each stringer comprising a sheet metal member formed with a laterally turned floor bearing flange at its base and with a laterally turned frame bearing flange adjacent its top, said stringer extending above said frame bearing flange being provided with a plurality of slots,.

metal frame members in said slots, and extending transversely of said stringers, said metal frame members being welded to said stringers at predetermined intersections of said frame members and stringers, and a foraminated metal covering for said frame members and secured thereto, and a metal frame member disposed at the ends of said first-mentioned frame members and extending transversely thereto;

10. In a metal floor rack for refrigerator cars, a stringer of truss-like characteristics, comprising a sheet metal member formed with a wide body flange and with a floor bearing flange extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, a channel bearing flange located at the top of said stringer and extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, and a ver-' tical flange carried by the channel bearing flange, said vertical flange being formed with a plurality of slots for receiving channelled frame members.

11. In a metal floor rack for refrigerator cars, a stringer of truss-like characteristics, comprising a sheet metal member formed with a wide body flange and with a floor bearing flange extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, a channel bearing flange located at the top of said stringer and extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, and avertical flange carried by the channel bearing flange, said vertical flange being formed with 2.

plurality of slots for receiving channelled frame members, said slots each having a laterally projecting tongue located therein in position to clamp the lower flange of a channel against the channel bearing flange.

12. In a metal floor rack for refrigerator cars, a stringer of truss-like characteristics, comprising a sheet metal member formed with a wide body flange and with a floor bearing flange extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, a channel bearing flange located at the top of said stringer and extending at substantially right angles to the body flange, and a vertical flange carried by the channel bearing flange, said vertical flange being formed with a plurality of slots for receiving channelled frame members, said body flange being formed with a top of said stringer and extending at substantially right angles to the. body flange, and a vef=- tical flange carried by the channel bearing flange, said vertical flange being formed with a plurality of slots for receiving channelled frame members, said body flange being formed with a multiplicity of substantially triangular apertures, the bases of the triangles being oppositely disposed, whereby there remains of the body flange a multiplicity of diagonally extending frame portions acting like parts of a truss, and said triangular apertures being provided with outwardly projecting border flanges located on the same side as said floor bearing flange.

14. In a latching arrangement for floor racks, the combination of a pair of floor racks, each floor rack comprising supporting stringers and a covering for said stringers, said floor racks having adjacent stringers pivotally secured together on an axis substantially midway between the upper and lower edges of the stringers, and latching means carried by two of saidstringers comprising cooperating members, one of said members being on each of said stringers, and each member including a retaining shoulder and a camming shoulder, said members being adapted to cam over each other and to have their latching shoulders come into engagement with each other when the stringers of the two racks are pivoted over into latching position, said latching means being located intermediate the upper and lower edges of the stringers, and said stringers being offset on one rack with respect to the stringers on the other rack, whereby the racks are adapted to be latched with the stringers in overlapping position.

15. In a floor rack arrangement for railway freight cars, the combination of a floor rack section adapted to span half the width of' the car floor, said section being pivoted to a wall of the car adjacent one of its edges with the second floor rack section adapted to have a similar span and to extend from the edge of the first-mentioned section into the space between the doorways of the car, said sections each comprising at least a pair of stringers extending longitudinally of the car, the stringers of the doorway section being offset with respect to the stringers of the first section, and a covering for said stringers, and hinge means connecting said sections at their stringers, said hinge means having its pivot located substantially midway between the top and bottom of said stringers, whereby the second section is adapted to swing over with its stringers overlapping the stringers of the first section, when the first section has been pivoted upward against the side wall of the car.

16. In a floor rack arrangement for railway freight cars, the combination or a floor ract section adapted to span hall the width 01 the car floor, said section being pivoted to a wall or the car adjacent onevor its edges with the second floor rack section adapted to have a similarspan and to extend from the edge of the flrst-mentioned section into the space between the doorways of thecar, said sections each comprising at least a pair of stringers extending'longitudinally or the car, the stringers ofthe doorway section being onset with respect to the stringers or the flrst section, and a covering for said stringers, and hinge means connecting said sections at their stringers, said hinge means having its pivot located substantially midway between the top and bottom of said stringers, whereby the second section is adapted to swing over with its stringers overlapping the stringers .01 the first section, when the that section has been pivoted upward against the side wall 01' the car, said stringers comprising sheet metal members formed with a bottom transverse bearing flange, and said hinge means comprising a pair of plates welded to said a aaonsvs stringers and secured together by a pivot member passing through registering apertures.

'17. In a floor rack assembly adapted to be selfsustaining until the parts of the rack are welded together, the combination of a pair'oi stringers, each stringer comprising a metal member having a vertical flange and a horizontal ioot flange,

with a plurality of cross frame members, said,

stringers having slots in their upper edges (or receiving said cross frame members, said slots having horizontally projecting tongues, ;and cross frame members having horizontally exmembers against said upper bearing flanges of:

said stringers.

, CHARLES S. JOHNSTON. 

